Both owners found the location near campus a suitable area to make the cuisine they cherish so much.

“We are doing very good in the old one, but we are away from the students,” co-owner Bassam Mahmoud said. “We need to cater to the students.”

Sultan’s has another location open at 4790 S. Hagadorn Road and a Sultan’s Express at 305 S. Washington Square, in Lansing.

One of the reasons the new location is so special to co-owner Fareed Nessari is because of the MSU culture he has loved for years.

“I’ve lived in East Lansing for 15 years,” Nessari said. “I love the atmosphere, the university and I think it is a great location.”

Mahmoud said with the opening of the new location, he plans to bring a healthy food alternative to the MSU community. Sultan’s plans to be one of the cleanest restaurants as well, Nessari said.

“From studying the area around here, I did not find any decent food,” Mahmoud said. “Most of the restaurants around me serve premade or processed food.”

Both owners plan to hire MSU students and stay open later on weekends. The restaurant also will offer specials to cater to students, Mahmoud said.

“We are going to serve (students) the best we can, even with jobs,” Nessari said.

Although the new restaurant might create competition for Woody’s Oasis Bar & Grill, 211 E. Grand River Ave., the regular crowd the restaurant has established and the popularity of its full bar will help maintain business, the restaurant’s manager Philip Raymond said.

“It will create a little business away from (us) here and there,” Raymond said.

Social work junior Amanda Freis said she thinks the restaurant will do well in the area.

“I like to try new foods, so I would go,” Freis said.

One element that Freis thinks is an important aspect is the hours of operation.

“They should stay open late on weekends because it can get really busy,” Freis said.